A FINE CHINESE IMPERIAL FAMILLE ROSE 'LADIES' BOWL

SIX CHARACTER GUANGXU MARK AND OF THE PERIOD 1875-1908

The deep body raised on a short foot, delicately painted in enamels with scholars and many beauties in a garden, with potted plants, garden seats and scholars' objects dispersed throughout the scene, with calligraphy above a large jardinière containing bamboo and rockwork to one side, the rim highlighted in gilt, with a turquoise glaze to the interior, the base with the reign mark in underglaze blue, with labels reading 'Brun Van-Baal collection', 'Vanderven Vanderven Oriental Art 507' and 'Refuge Diepenveen/Bu Deventer', 21.2cm.

The inscription on this bowl is an extract from the poem Li Ren Xing, or 'Ode to Beautiful Ladies', by the esteemed Tang dynasty poet Du Fu (712-770). Through its satirical portrayal of the fair imperial ladies and their luxurious lifestyles at court, the poem unveils the corruption of the upper class during the Tang dynasty. The lines on this bowl may be translated as 'with a dignified and refined air without artifice, their embroidered silk garments glow in the twilight of spring.'